TW201504605A - Apparatus, systems, and methods for monitoring elevated temperatures in rotating couplings and drives - Google Patents

Abstract

A system to continuously and redundantly monitor a magnetic drive system includes temperature sensors coupled to the magnetic drive system. The temperature sensors are coupled to a transmitter, which generates output signals representing the temperatures of the temperature sensors. The system includes a transreceiver and a controller, where the transreceiver is coupled to the transmitter and configured to receive the output signals of the transmitter. The controller is communicatively coupled to the transreceiver and the magnetic drive system and is configured to control operation of the magnetic drive system based on one or more signals received from the transreceiver.

Description

Apparatus, system and method for monitoring rising temperature in a rotating coupling and driver

The present invention relates to temperature monitoring devices, systems and methods, and more particularly to temperature monitoring of magnetic drive systems.

The magnetic drive system can include a fixed gap magnetic coupling and/or an adjustable speed drive system that operates by transmitting torque from a motor to a load through an air gap. There is no mechanical connection between the drive side and the driven side of the device. Torque is established by the interaction of a powerful rare earth magnet on one side of the drive (having an induced magnetic field on the other side). Since the amount of torque transmitted can be controlled by changing the air gap interval in an adjustable speed drive system, speed control is allowed.

A magnetic drive system typically includes a magnetic rotor assembly and a conductor rotor assembly. The magnetic rotor assembly containing a rare earth magnet is attached to the load. The conductor rotor assembly is attached to the motor. The conductor rotor assembly includes a rotor made of a conductive material such as aluminum, copper or brass. In some magnetic drive systems, such as such adjustable speed drive systems, the magnetic drive system also includes a starting assembly that controls the air gap spacing between the magnetic rotors and the conductor rotors.

The relative rotation of the conductor rotor assembly and the magnetic rotor assembly causes the air gap to pass through A strong magnetic coupling. Varying the air gap spacing between the magnetic rotors and the conductor rotors results in a controlled output speed. This output speed is adjustable, controllable and repeatable.

The principle of magnetic induction requires relative motion between the magnets and the conductors. This means that the output speed is always less than the input speed. The difference in speed is known as slip. Typically, the slip during operation at a full rated motor speed is between 1% and 3%.

The relative motion of the magnets relative to the rotor of the conductor causes eddy currents to be induced in the conductor material. These eddy currents then establish their own magnetic fields. The interaction of the permanent magnetic field with the induced eddy current magnetic fields allows torque to be transmitted from the magnetic rotor to the conductor rotor. The eddy currents in the conductor material establish electrical heating in the conductor material.

The large amount of energy generated by thermal bonding equipment produced in magnetic drive systems used in many different environments often results in an explosive environment. The conventional method involves estimating the generated heat based on the torque and speed characteristics of the driven side (ie, the load side) and the operating speed of the driving side (ie, the motor side) and setting the limit temperature. However, such conventional methods do not properly account for the unpredictable nature of magnetic drive systems having multiple moving parts. For example, in some instances, the variability in the application used and its associated estimated load may result in an inaccurate setting of one of the limit temperatures. In some instances, the load side may block a carrier product, or other debris may impede movement on the load side, resulting in excessive heat generation. In other examples, the estimated heat generation may be inaccurate because the ambient temperature may be higher than expected.

Embodiments described herein provide apparatus, systems, and methods to continuously monitor the temperature of a magnetic drive system in a precise, efficient, and robust manner. In some embodiments, appropriate commands are provided to the magnetic drive systems in response to temperatures above the defined temperature threshold. Such commands may include deactivating a motor and/or adjusting an air gap.

According to an embodiment, a system for monitoring the temperature of a magnetic drive system can be summarized as comprising: a temperature sensor mounted on the magnetic drive system; a transmitter coupled to the temperature sensor a transceiver coupled to the transmitter; and a controller, It is communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the magnetic drive system. The transceiver can generate a signal indicative of one of the temperatures of the temperature sensor and the transceiver can be configured to receive the signal. The controller can be configured to control operation of the magnetic drive system based on receiving one or more signals from the transceiver.

According to another embodiment, a temperature monitoring system can be summarized as comprising a magnetic drive system, a plurality of thermocouples, a thermocouple transmitter, a transceiver, and a controller. The magnetic drive system can include a conductor rotor assembly coupled to a motor shaft, the conductor rotor assembly including a pair of coaxial conductor rotors having a body comprising a non-ferrous conductive material; a magnetic rotor assembly coupled To a load axis, the magnetic rotor assembly includes a pair of magnetic rotors each having a respective set of magnets, wherein the magnetic rotors are positioned between and separated from the pair of coaxial conductor rotors to define a gas Gap. The plurality of thermocouples can be mounted to the conductor rotors and the thermocouple emitters can be coupled to the plurality of thermocouples configured to generate a temperature indicative of one of the thermal junctions of the respective thermocouples One of the signals. Additionally, the transceiver is communicatively coupled to the thermocouple transmitter and configured to receive a corresponding signal. The controller is communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the magnetic drive system and is configured to continuously scan the transceiver to obtain the temperature of the respective thermocouple.

According to still another embodiment, a method for monitoring a temperature of a magnetic drive system can be summarized as comprising: measuring a temperature of the magnetic drive system; comparing the temperature to a threshold temperature; and transmitting in response to the comparison A signal to the magnetic drive system.

10‧‧‧ Temperature Monitoring System

12‧‧‧Magnetic drive system

13‧‧‧Motor

14‧‧‧Magnetic rotor assembly

16‧‧‧Conductor rotor assembly

18‧‧‧Magnetic rotor

19‧‧‧Rectangular notches

20‧‧‧Load shaft

21‧‧‧Permanent magnets

22‧‧‧Motor shaft

24‧‧‧Disk/Magnetic Disc

26‧‧‧ Backing disc

30‧‧‧Conductor rotor

32‧‧‧ spacers

34‧‧‧End ring

36‧‧‧Conductor ring

37‧‧‧Conductor ring

38‧‧‧ Air gap

39‧‧‧Starter assembly

40‧‧‧ radiator element

42‧‧‧Temperature Sensor

42a‧‧‧Temperature Sensor

42b‧‧‧Temperature Sensor

42c‧‧‧temperature sensor

42d‧‧‧temperature sensor

44‧‧‧transmitter

46‧‧‧ distal

47‧‧‧Magnetic center line

48‧‧‧ transceiver

50‧‧‧ Controller

51‧‧‧Sense Module

52‧‧‧Control Module

56‧‧‧Response module

58‧‧‧Response module

60‧‧‧ load

110‧‧‧ Temperature Monitoring System

112‧‧‧Magnetic drive system

113‧‧‧Motor

114‧‧‧Magnetic rotor assembly

116‧‧‧Conductor rotor assembly

142‧‧‧temperature sensor

148‧‧‧ transceiver

150‧‧‧ Controller

1 is a schematic isometric view of a partial isometric view of a temperature monitoring system in accordance with an embodiment.

2 is a front elevational view of one of the temperature monitoring systems of FIG. 1 with specific components removed for purposes of illustration.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of one of the temperature monitoring systems taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of one of the temperature monitoring systems of Figure 1, with the purpose of clarifying Except for specific components.

Figure 5 is a top elevational view of one of the temperature monitoring systems of Figure 1 with specific components removed for purposes of illustration.

6 is a functional block diagram of one of the components of a temperature monitoring system in accordance with an embodiment.

Figure 7 is a partial isometric view of a temperature monitoring system in accordance with another embodiment.

Figure 8 is a graph showing one of the temperatures of a magnetic drive system during monitoring, according to an embodiment of a temperature monitoring system.

Figure 9 is a graph showing one of the temperatures of a magnetic drive system during monitoring, according to an embodiment of a temperature monitoring system.

The following detailed description refers to devices, systems, and methods for monitoring temperature of a magnetic drive system. The description and corresponding figures are intended to provide a general information to a person skilled in the art to enable the person to make and use the embodiments of the invention. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be modified by the embodiment of the present invention and/or the elements removed from the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention, and to the extent that they are within the scope of the appended claims.

Unless otherwise required herein, the words "comprise" and variations thereof (such as "comprises" and "comprising") throughout the specification and the appended claims are understood to be an open, Inclusive meaning, ie, "include, but not limited to".

Reference is made to the "an embodiment" or "an embodiment" or "an embodiment" or "an embodiment" or "an embodiment," Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in an embodiment" or "in an embodiment" In addition, specific features, knots The configuration or characteristics may be combined with one or more embodiments in any suitable manner.

The singular forms "a", "the" and "the" It should also be noted that, in general, the term "or" is used in its meaning to include "and/or" unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

1 through 5 illustrate a temperature monitoring system 10 in accordance with an embodiment that advantageously continuously and redundantly monitors the temperature of a magnetic drive system 12. The magnetic drive system 12 includes a magnetic rotor assembly 14 and a conductor rotor assembly 16. The magnetic rotor assembly 14 includes a pair of magnetic rotors 18. The magnetic rotors 18 are spaced apart from each other, and one magnetic rotor 18 is positioned proximate to one load shaft 20 and the other is positioned proximate to a motor shaft 22. Each of the magnetic rotors 18 includes a disk 24 (e.g., a non-ferromagnetic disk) that is backed by a backing disk 26 (e.g., an iron backing disk). The magnetic rotor 18 is mounted on the load shaft 20 and rotates therewith. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the disks 24 of the respective magnetic rotors 18 includes a circular array of a plurality of rectangular recesses 19 to receive one of the respective permanent magnets 21.

The conductor rotor assembly 16 is mounted on a motor shaft 22 of a motor 13 and rotates therewith. The conductor rotor assembly 16 includes a pair of conductor rotors 30 separated from each other by a spacer 32. Each conductor rotor 30 includes an end ring 34. The conductor loops 36, 37 are coupled to the inwardly facing side of the end ring 34. In general, the conductor loops 36, 37 comprise a non-ferrous material such as copper, aluminum, brass or other non-ferrous metals. The conductor loops 36, 37 are separated from the respective magnetic rotors 18 by air gaps 38. The air gap 38 can be a fixed air gap (e.g., Figure 7) or can be an adjustable air gap. For example, some magnetic drive systems 12 may include an actuator assembly 39. The actuator assembly 39 is coupled to the magnetic rotor assembly 14 in a known manner. The actuator assembly 39 is configured to controllably move the magnetic rotor assembly 14 relative to the conductor rotor assembly 16 such that the air gap 38 of the magnetic drive system 12 is adjustable. Furthermore, in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 through 5, the conductor rotor assembly 16 is mounted on the motor shaft 22 and the magnetic rotor assembly 14 is mounted on the load shaft 20, alternatively, the total conductor rotor The 16 can be mounted to the load shaft 20 and the magnetic rotor assembly 14 can be mounted to the motor shaft 22. Take In this manner, the conductor rotor 30 can be co-rotated with the load shaft 20 and the magnetic rotor 18 can be co-rotated with the motor shaft 22.

The magnetic drive system 12 further includes a heat sink element 40 coupled to the outwardly facing side of the conductor rotor assembly 16. The heat sink element 40 can be coupled to the conductor rotor assembly 16 via fastening, welding, bonding, or other suitable means.

As mentioned above, in general, a magnetic drive system operates primarily under sliding conditions. The eddy currents in a conductor material establish electrical heating therein. Using Lenz's Law, the heat generated can be calculated as follows: sliding heat = K * torque * slip rate, which results in: k * _T * (ω _M - ω _L ), where _T- system motor torque; ω _M- system Motor speed per minute ("RPM"); ω _L is the output speed of the RPM; and k is a constant used to convert the shaft power to KW or any other selected unit of power. It should be noted that although the heat generated by the magnetic drive system can be estimated, such calculations do not take into account external operating conditions and circumstances, and such calculations do not take into account the precise location at which the highest heat is generated.

The temperature monitoring system 10 and other embodiments described herein advantageously continuously and redundantly monitor the magnetic drive system and provide appropriate commands in response to the measured temperature. With continued reference to FIGS. 1 through 5, and as best illustrated in FIGS. 4-5, temperature monitoring system 10 includes a plurality of temperature sensors 42. Temperature sensor 42 may include a thermocouple, a thermal resistor, a resistance temperature detector ("RTD"), and/or other temperature sensing devices. By way of a non-limiting example, the temperature monitoring system 10 illustrated in Figures 1 through 5 includes a thermocouple. However, other temperature sensing devices are within the scope of the present invention. Temperature sensor 42 is coupled to transmitter 44 mounted on magnetic drive system 12. Transmitter 44 is superimposed with heat sink elements 40 and coupled to respective end rings 34 by fasteners. In other embodiments, the transmitter 44 can be positioned at any other suitable location and/or can be positioned away from the magnetic drive system 12. Transmitter 44 includes a plurality of input connectors that are configured to receive respective temperature sensors 42. For example, the transmitter 44 illustrated in Figures 1-5 includes six input connectors. In general, each of the six input connectors defines six channels that are isolated from each other and are configured to couple to temperature sensing. One of the devices 42 is each proximal end. It should be understood, however, that transmitter 44 can include any number of input connectors. Furthermore, the input connector can be configured to receive a variety of various temperature sensors, such as J, K, N, R type thermocouples (for example).

When the temperature sensor 42 includes a thermocouple, one of the distal ends 46 of each of the temperature sensors 42 (eg, 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d) is coupled to one of the measured temperatures on the magnetic drive system 12, which The location can often be referred to as a hot junction. As best illustrated in Figures 4 through 5, the distal ends 46 of the temperature sensors 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d are coupled to the conductor loops 36, 37. The distal end 46 can be coupled to the conductor loops 36, 37 via welding, bonding, fastening, or any other suitable means.

More specifically, the distal ends 46 of the respective sensors 42a, 42b extend substantially midway through the thickness of the conductor loop 36, which is positioned on the motor 13 side of the magnetic drive system 12. Additionally, the distal end 46 is positioned substantially along a magnetic centerline 47. As best illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the magnetic centerline 47 is defined by a coaxial ring circumferentially associated with one of the paths defined by the centerline of one of the permanent magnets 21 of the respective magnetic rotating disk 24, and projected onto the conductor Rings 36, 37. Similarly, the distal ends 46 of the respective sensors 42c, 42d extend substantially midway through the thickness of the conductor ring 37 (ie, the load side) and along the magnetic centerline 47. Applicants have discovered through experimentation that positioning the distal end 46 in this manner advantageously improves the accuracy of the temperature readings of the magnetic drive system 12 because such locations exhibit the highest temperature position of the magnetic drive system 12. Although the temperature sensor 42 illustrated in the embodiment of Figures 1-5 is positioned in the conductor loops 36, 37, in other embodiments, the temperature sensor 42 can be positioned in any other suitable location.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 through 5, temperature monitoring system 10 can include an additional temperature sensor 42 to measure the reference temperature. For example, the distal end of the additional temperature sensor can be coupled to other components of the magnetic drive system 12 to provide a measure of the reference temperature. The distal end can be coupled to a respective backing disc 26 of the magnetic rotor 18 or other component that can undergo minimal heat generation, for example. The temperature monitoring system 10 can measure the ambient temperature to establish and compare the temperature of the conductor rotor 30 with respect to the ambient temperature. In this way, the temperature monitoring system 10 can continuously measure and monitor the instantaneous ambient temperature, thereby advantageously providing accurate reading. The uncertainty of the variable operating environment of the magnetic drive system is also considered.

For example, when the temperature sensor includes a thermocouple, the various temperatures measured by temperature sensor 42 provide an input voltage signal indicative of a thermal gradient of the temperature difference between a cold junction and a hot junction. Alternatively, a resistance signal can be provided when the temperature sensor 42 includes an RTD. In this manner, transmitter 44 can process the respective signals to determine the temperature and output a corresponding signal.

Transmitter 44 is further coupled to a transceiver 48. As illustrated in the embodiment of Figures 1-5, the transmitter 44 can be wirelessly coupled to the transceiver 48 or can be coupled by a wired connection in a known manner.

The transceiver 48 is configured to be in electronic communication with the transmitter 44 and provide an interface between a controller 50 and the transmitter 44 to cause the transceiver 48 to communicate temperature measurements of the temperature sensor 42 to the controller 50. . As illustrated in the embodiment of Figures 1-5, the transceiver 48 can be coupled to the controller 50 wirelessly or by a wired connection, such as a USB cable. Controller 50 may include (without limitation) one or more processors, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FGPAs), and/or dedicated integrated circuits (ASICs), memory Devices, buses, power supplies, and the like. For example, controller 50 can include a processor in communication with one or more memory devices. The bus bar links an internal or external power supply to the processor. The memory can take a variety of forms including, for example, one or more buffers, scratchpads, random access memory (RAM), and/or read only memory (ROM). In some embodiments, controller 50 is communicatively coupled to an external device or system, such as a computer (eg, a desktop computer, a notebook computer, etc.), a network (eg, a local network, A WiFi network or the like) or a mobile device (eg, a smart phone, a cellular phone, etc.). Controller 50 can also include a display (such as a screen) and an input device. The input device can include a keyboard, trackpad or the like and can be operated by a user to control the temperature monitoring system 10.

In some embodiments, controller 50 has a closed loop system or an open loop system. For example, the controller 50 can have a closed loop system whereby the slave is configured Controlling power to the motor 13 by transmitting (or transmitting) one or more of the one or more temperature characteristics or one or more feedback signals of the temperature sensor 42 or any other measurable parameter of interest The motor shaft 22 is controlled. Based on the readings, controller 50 can then adjust the operation of motor 13. In some embodiments, the closed loop system of controller 50 can be configured to be based on one or more temperature senses from one or more signals configured to transmit (or transmit) one or more temperature characteristics The feedback signal of the detector 42 or any other measurable parameter of interest additionally and/or alternatively controls the actuator assembly 39 and thus the air gap 38. Based on the readings, controller 50 can then adjust the operation of actuator assembly 39. Alternatively, temperature monitoring system 10 can be an open circuit system in which the operation of setting motor 13 and/or actuator assembly 39 is input by a user.

Additionally, controller 50 can store different programs. A user can select one of the characteristics of the temperature and the desired target temperature threshold. For example, the temperature threshold can be set based on a particular magnetic drive system and/or a particular motor. The controller 50 can execute a routine to determine the threshold temperature based on the maximum torque of the magnetic drive system and the motor speed (including when the motor is blocked). In some embodiments, the threshold temperature is set based on the following equation: among them The heating rate is determined based on the maximum possible speed of the specific magnetic drive system and the motor; "ts" is the total response time of a temperature monitoring system; and the maximum allowable temperature is the maximum temperature of a magnetic drive system, which is based on full speed. The operating magnetic drive system, the maximum torque is determined, and thus experiences a load clogging state. In some embodiments, the threshold temperature can be set to a specific percentage of one of the threshold temperatures. For example, the threshold temperature can be set to 60%-80% of the determined threshold temperature. In this manner, an additional protection buffer can advantageously be provided to the temperature monitoring system 10.

Controller 50 can be programmed to compare the temperature measurements and threshold temperatures of various temperature sensors. For example, controller 50 can execute a program to continuously scan transceiver 48 to determine each The temperature of the temperature sensor 42. When the temperature measurement exceeds a selected percentage of one of the threshold temperature or the threshold temperature, the controller 50 may execute a motor operating program to deactivate or remove the power supply to the motor 13. Controller 50 can also be programmed to control air gap 38 between magnetic rotor assembly 14 and conductor rotor assembly 16. The air gap 38 can be adjusted by the relative movement of the magnetic rotor 18 and the conductor rotor 30 by the actuator assembly 39 or any other device.

Figure 6 illustrates a functional block diagram showing the use of a temperature monitoring system. The temperature monitoring system includes at least one sensing module 51, a control module 52, and response modules 56, 58. The sensing module 51 includes a plurality of temperature sensors 42 coupled to the magnetic drive system 12. Temperature sensor 42 is communicatively coupled to transmitter 44, which processes the corresponding signals to determine the temperature of respective temperature sensors 42. Transmitter 44 is further coupled to transceiver 48. As discussed in more detail elsewhere, the transmitter 44 can be coupled to the transceiver 48 wirelessly or by a wired connection. In this manner, transceiver 48 receives one or more signals from transmitter 44 indicative of the temperature of magnetic drive system 12.

Control module 52 includes a controller 50. Controller 50 is coupled to transceiver 48 and is in communication with transceiver 48. A processor and control circuit of controller 50 receives a signal from transceiver 48 indicative of the temperature of temperature sensor 42 mounted on magnetic drive system 12. The processor uses the information to compare the temperature of the magnetic drive system 12. More specifically, the processor compares the temperature of the magnetic drive system 12 represented by the plurality of temperature sensors 42 to the set threshold temperature.

If the temperature is above the threshold temperature or if no signal is received, then under response module 56, controller 50 commands one or more components of motor 13 to disable operation of motor 13 by transmitting a corresponding output signal. The motor 13 can be deactivated in a number of various ways, such as by removing a power supply, removing a particular component of the motor, or the like. Conversely, if the temperature is below the threshold temperature or if a signal is received, the controller 50 commands one or more components of the motor 13 to continue operating, which in turn transmits a rotational force to drive a load 60. In this manner, it may be advantageous to continuously monitor the temperature of a magnetic drive system and when the temperature exceeds a set threshold (eg, in the event of a blockage), temperature monitoring system 10 may disable operation of motor 13 and prevent magnetic drive system Overheating of the system 12.

Alternatively or additionally, if the temperature is above the threshold temperature and/or if no signal is received, then under response module 58, controller 50 commands one of the actuator assemblies 39 by transmitting a corresponding output signal or A plurality of components adjust the air gap 38 of the magnetic drive system 12. More specifically, the controller 50 commands the actuator assembly 39 to axially move the magnetic rotor 18 relative to the conductor rotor 30 to a maximum air gap position. In this way, the rotational force between the magnetic rotor 18 and the conductor rotor 30 can be substantially eliminated, which in turn advantageously disables the magnetic drive system 12 and prevents it from overheating.

FIG. 7 illustrates a temperature monitoring system 110 in accordance with another embodiment. Temperature monitoring system 110 provides a variation in which a magnetic rotor assembly 114 is fixedly positioned relative to a conductor rotor assembly 116. Thus, when the temperature of the magnetic drive system 112 is below a set threshold temperature or a feedback signal is received from the temperature sensor 142, a controller 150 is configured to command one or more components of the motor 113 to continue operating. . Conversely, when the temperature exceeds the threshold temperature and/or a feedback signal is not received from any of the temperature sensors 142, the controller 150 is configured to command one or more components of the motor 113 to deactivate its operation.

Figure 8 is a graph having one of the vertical axes corresponding to a temperature measured according to one embodiment of a temperature monitoring system. The temperature monitoring system is used in conjunction with a magnetic drive system with an adjustable air gap. As illustrated in Figure 8, a temperature trigger point is set at approximately 80% of the temperature threshold. When a temperature sensor (ie, thermocouple 23) reaches the set threshold temperature, a control module sends an output signal to disable the motor by a power supply that is removed to a motor. After a short lag, the temperature decreases as the motor speed decreases.

Figure 9 is a graph having one of the vertical axes corresponding to a temperature measured according to one embodiment of a temperature monitoring system. The temperature monitoring system is used in conjunction with a magnetic drive system having a fixed air gap. As illustrated in Figure 9, a temperature trigger point is set at approximately 80% of the temperature threshold. When a temperature sensor (ie, thermocouple 1) reaches the set threshold temperature, a control module sends an output signal to disable the motor by a power supply that is removed to a motor. Again, after a brief lag, the temperature decreases as the motor speed decreases.

The various embodiments described above may advantageously provide a method for continuously and redundantly monitoring a magnetic drive system. For example, one method for monitoring a magnetic drive system can include coupling one or more temperature sensors to a magnetic drive system. A temperature sensor can be coupled to a transmitter to process the appropriate signal corresponding to the temperature.

The method can include communicatively coupling a transceiver to the transmitter and to a controller, wherein the transceiver communicates the temperature of the magnetic drive system to the controller. The method can further include setting a threshold temperature, comparing the temperature to the set threshold temperature, and transmitting the output signal in response to the comparing. In some embodiments, when the temperature is below the threshold temperature and when a feedback signal is received by the controller, the output signal can indicate that the command is coupled to one of the magnetic drive systems to continue operation. In some embodiments, the output signal may indicate the operation of deactivating the motor when the temperature is at or above the threshold temperature. In some embodiments, the output signal can indicate that the command launcher positions the magnetic drive system to a maximum air gap position.

The method can further include coupling an indicator to the controller. The indicator can be configured to communicate to a user when the temperature exceeds the threshold temperature and/or when a feedback signal is not received by the controller. The indicator can include an audible alarm, a buzzer, a gauge, and/or a light emitting diode (LED).

Furthermore, the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above detailed description. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the application to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims. The scope of the patent includes a comprehensive range of equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the patent application is not limited by the invention.

12‧‧‧Magnetic drive system

13‧‧‧Motor

39‧‧‧Starter assembly

42‧‧‧Temperature Sensor

44‧‧‧transmitter

48‧‧‧ transceiver

50‧‧‧ Controller

51‧‧‧Sense Module

52‧‧‧Control Module

56‧‧‧Response module

58‧‧‧Response module

60‧‧‧ load

Claims (25)

A system for monitoring the temperature of a magnetic drive system, the system comprising: a temperature sensor mounted to the magnetic drive system; a transmitter coupled to the temperature sensor, the transmitter generating a signal indicative of one of the temperatures of the temperature sensor; a transceiver coupled to the transmitter, the transceiver configured to receive the signal; and a controller communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the A magnetic drive system configured to control operation of the magnetic drive system based on receiving one or more signals from the transceiver. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to compare the temperature to a threshold temperature and command the magnetic drive system in response to the comparison of the temperature to the threshold temperature. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to output a shutdown signal to the magnetic drive system when the temperature exceeds the threshold temperature. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to output a shutdown signal to the magnetic drive system when the output signal is not received by the transceiver. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of thermocouples mounted on one of the conductor rotors of the magnetic drive system, the plurality of thermocouples being mounted substantially along a magnetic centerline. The system of claim 2, wherein the threshold temperature is set to 80% of a predetermined temperature limit. A temperature monitoring system includes: a magnetic drive system including: a conductor rotor assembly coupled to a motor shaft, the conductor rotor assembly package A pair of coaxial conductor rotors having a body comprising a non-ferrous conductive material; a magnetic rotor assembly coupled to a load shaft, the magnetic rotor assembly comprising one of each of the respective set of magnets a magnetic rotor, wherein the magnetic rotors are positioned between and spaced apart from the pair of coaxial conductor rotors to define an air gap; a plurality of thermocouples are mounted on the conductor rotors; a thermocouple is emitted And coupled to the plurality of thermocouples, the thermocouple transmitter configured to generate a signal indicative of a temperature of one of the thermal junctions of the respective thermocouple; a transceiver communicatively coupled to the thermocouple a transmitter configured to receive the corresponding signal; and a controller communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the magnetic drive system, the controller configured to continuously scan the transceiver to obtain the The temperature of each thermocouple. The temperature monitoring system of claim 7, wherein the transceiver is wirelessly coupled to the transmitter. The temperature monitoring system of claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to compare the temperatures of the thermocouples to a threshold temperature and command the magnetic drive system in response to the comparison of the temperature to the threshold temperature . The temperature monitoring system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to turn off a signal when at least one of the temperatures of the thermocouples exceeds the threshold temperature or is not received by the transceiver A signal is sent to the magnetic drive system. The temperature monitoring system of claim 9, wherein the magnetic drive system further comprises an actuator configured to axially displace the magnetic rotors relative to the conductor rotors to adjust the air gap. The temperature monitoring system of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to turn off when at least one of the temperatures of the thermocouples exceeds the threshold temperature or is not received by the transceiver A signal is sent to the magnetic drive system. The temperature monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the shutdown signal commands the magnetic drive system to be removed to a power supply that drives a motor of the motor shaft. The temperature monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the shutdown signal commands the actuator to displace the magnetic rotor relative to the respective conductor rotors such that the air gap is increased to a maximum air gap configuration. A method for monitoring a temperature of a magnetic drive system, the method comprising: measuring a temperature of the magnetic drive system; comparing the temperature to a threshold temperature; and in response to the comparing, transmitting a signal to the magnetic Drive System. The method of claim 15, wherein measuring the temperature comprises generating an output signal from one of the transmitters coupled to a transceiver, the output signal representing a temperature coupled to one of the temperature sensors of the magnetic drive system. The method of claim 15, wherein comparing the temperature comprises communicatively coupling a controller to a transceiver, the transceiver configured to receive an output signal indicative of the temperature of the magnetic drive system; and continuously scanning The transceiver compares the temperature of the magnetic drive system to the threshold temperature. The method of claim 17, further comprising: deactivating the magnetic drive system when at least one of the temperatures exceeds the threshold temperature or is not received by the transceiver; and when the temperature is at or below the temperature The operation of the magnetic drive system continues at a threshold temperature and when the output signal is received by the transceiver. The method of claim 15, further comprising: Set the threshold temperature. The method of claim 19, wherein the threshold temperature is determined by the following equation: threshold temperature = (maximum allowable temperature) - temperature rise / second x system response time. The method of claim 15, wherein transmitting the signal comprises removing to at least one of a power supply coupled to one of the magnetic drive systems and an air gap of the magnetic drive system to a maximum air gap. The method of claim 15, wherein measuring the temperature comprises: coupling a plurality of thermocouples to the magnetic drive system; coupling a transmitter to each of the respective thermocouples, the emitter generating a representation of the respective thermocouple One of the temperatures of one of the hot junctions; and a transceiver coupled to the transmitter, the transceiver configured to receive the signal. The method of claim 22, wherein the plurality of thermocouples are coupled to the magnetic drive system along a magnetic centerline. The method of claim 15 further comprising: coupling an indicator to a controller coupled to a receiver and configured to receive an output signal indicative of the temperature of the magnetic drive system; and when When the temperature exceeds the threshold temperature, the indicator communicates to a user. The method of claim 24, wherein the indicator comprises at least one of an audible alarm, a buzzer, a gauge, and a light emitting diode (LED).